Reports emerged on January 10, 2026, that the British government held talks with Australia and Canada about a possible coordinated response to concerns over Elon Musk’s X platform. The discussions focus on Grok, the AI tool built by xAI, which has faced criticism for allowing users to generate explicit deepfake images. No final decisions have come out yet, but a full block on X in the UK remains an option under review.
The issue started when users shared non-consensual sexualized images made with Grok. These included fake photos of women and children. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the content “disgraceful.”
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said she would support regulator Ofcom if it chose to restrict access to X. Ofcom can seek court orders to stop payment processing or block the site for UK users under the Online Safety Act.
Downing Street confirmed talks with allies like Australia and Canada. Officials want to show shared worries about harmful AI content. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese agreed the use of AI for exploitation is wrong. Canada’s government is updating laws on deepfakes. Sources say the goal is pressure on X, not necessarily a joint ban right away. Each country handles its own rules.
X responded by limiting Grok’s image editing to paid subscribers. Free users lost some features. The company said it bans illegal content and acts on violations. Indonesia went further and blocked Grok completely over rights concerns.
Elon Musk pushed back hard. He called the outcry an excuse for censorship. On X, he highlighted Grok reaching number one on the UK App Store despite the controversy.
He questioned why the UK government acts this way and accused it of fascist tendencies in posts. Musk noted Grok’s popularity in other countries too, like New Zealand and Thailand.
The debate ties into bigger questions about AI and social media. Deepfakes harm victims and spread fast online. Governments want tech companies to stop misuse. X argues for less restriction to protect free expression. Past clashes happened over content moderation, like during UK riots or Australia’s rules on violent videos.
No timeline exists for actions. Ofcom is assessing X’s compliance. If issues continue, restrictions could follow. For now, X works normally in these countries. Users there downloaded Grok more after the news, showing mixed public views.
Other platforms face similar scrutiny. But X draws attention because of Musk’s role and Grok’s features. The talks mark another step in regulating AI tools.
As details unfold, both sides watch closely. Tech firms worry about fragmented rules. Regulators aim to protect people from harm. The outcome could affect how AI image tools operate worldwide.
